2 bars/lounges

Reviews of Grand Hotel, Whangarei

2.5 out of 5
Grand Hotel, Whangarei
2 Bank Street, Northland, Whangarei

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 66 out of 352 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 112 out of 352 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 97 out of 352 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 44 out of 352 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 33 out of 352 reviews" "

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

katy

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
For what we paid it was fine. Music was super loud til very late. Very outdated. We were aloud early check in which was helpful and had free parking.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from Mike - pp Manager on 10 Mar 2024
Thanks for your review, we hope you enjoyed your stay, the rooms are sited above a very busy hotel hence the music, and yes the pub is over 130 years old. Many thanks

4/10 Poor

Duane

No air-conditioning. Good bar with interesting people. 3 blocks from the Itercity bus line. Lots of bars and resterants. Needed a phone and found one around the corner at Kiwi Tech.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Manager - pp. Mike on 10 Feb 2024
Thank you for that, seems like the lack of A/C was the culprit, Sorry about that, We do provide fans

6/10 Okay

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Manager - pp. Mike on 10 Feb 2024
Thank you for your review, we do our best to make our guests comfortable.

6/10 Okay

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Staff were lovely. Facilities were pretty basic but price was cheap, so good value if you’re looking by for a place that won’t break the bank. Very handy to town.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Lesley, Manager on 11 Jan 2024
Thank you for your kind review we do try to make our guests feel at home

10/10 Excellent

Savenaca Meca

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Lesley-Manager on 22 Jan 2024
Thanks very much for your kind review, we do try to make our guests comfortable

8/10 Good

Hongliang

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Lesley, Manager on 11 Jan 2024
Many thanks Glad you enjoyed your stay

6/10 Okay

Peter

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
It was tired It might have once housed the queen but not now - checking in in the public bar was experience I could have done with out. It was tired but clean and cheap for what it was it was value for money - just old and tired.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Lesley on 10 Nov 2023
Thank you we do value the feedback from our guests. Yes our Lady is over 130 years old but our maids service and clean every day, and at this moment we are refurbishing rooms one at a time in a more modern decor.The check in problem is on going and at the moment the bar check in is our only option it's work in progress.

4/10 Poor

Gloria, salinas

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s more of a half way house than a hotel. Very old and dated. No parking. This is a Casio with people making noise all night.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Mike on 14 Nov 2023
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay with us. Our lady is over 130 years old and we are in the process of updating room by room. We have limited secure parking at the rear of the restaurant and our guests are welcome to park there on request. However I think you definitely need to research your accommodation before you book Our Hotel is located in the CBD where noise at night is a way of life and the accommodation area is located above a busy Hotel bar.

4/10 Poor

K M

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Old, needs refurbishing
Very old, seedy hotel, The Grand is the ‘Grand History’ of the hotel being over 100 years old. The age really shows and affected our comfort and enjoyment. The bar is open until 1:30 am and could hear it until 1:00 am. The hotel needs updating and repairing badly. The mattress was very soft. Although fairly clean the bathroom had rust and scale buildup on the pipes and floor. Although just one block away from many shops and cafes the area itself felt unsafe.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Mike. on 20 Oct 2023
Sorry you didn’t enjoy your stay. Our Grand old lady is certainly aging and at this very moment we are on a mission to refurbish all rooms. We are located in the busy cbd and above a very busy Bar so it s noisy during busy times. We make no apologies as a little research on guest parts decide whether our establishment is suitable to their requirements. For every dissatisfied guest we have dozens who enjoy their stay but decline to use the internet or book direct. We do take note of all complaints and try to respond in a positive way.

2/10 Terrible

Paul

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really below par accommodation - On street parking is a real PROBLEM... car window smashed right outside hotel - car cleaned out,,,, Plenty of Cameras but Hotel Management showed zero interest in helping out.. A never stay again place for me
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from les on 4 Oct 2023
I am so sorry you felt that we were not interested in helping you.I asked if you would like to put your vehicle out the back to which you replied no the boys will take it to their hotel, In my time of being here I have never come across this happening ever.I mentioned to you that I would look on cameras to see what I could find..I managed to get footage. It happened so fast, approx a minute and he was gone, can't see his face but I have photos and footage that show how things came about if you should want themPolice have their cameras across the road as well which is where the guy seems to have come from if you need more info, and I know one of their security camera guys who could help with footage if you require more I was going to ring and email yesterday but was too lateAgain I apologise you were not happy with your stay

10/10 Excellent

Phil

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I absolutely love this place, will definitely be back to stay..
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Lelsey on 11 Aug 2023
Thanks so much for your kind review, so pleased you enjoyed your stay

2/10 Terrible

Dave

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

2/10 Terrible

Angie

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Sue

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Larry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thin walls between rooms and the noisy street. A music band practicing room just below ours for two hours. Starting and stopping playing music at very loud settings. Had to go to bar to check in and then the patrons stood drunk on the street yelling until 3 am. Wouldn’t stay here again even if it was free.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Mike on 26 Mar 2023
Sorry about that, yes we are a very busy mid city hotel and noise is a part of our way of life I'm afraid. I do take your concerns seriously and we are always looking to reduce the level of noise, so will have to look at it again

8/10 Good

Therese

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Mike on 26 Mar 2023
Thank you very much for your kind review

10/10 Excellent

steven

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Mike on 26 Mar 2023
Thanks for your kind review, glad you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Huia

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Lesly on 11 Feb 2023
Kia ora Huia, thanks very much for your kind review, so pleased you enjoyed your stay

6/10 Okay

Kim

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities

2/10 Terrible

Goretti, AUCKLAND

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
IT IS CLOSED WITHOUT NOTICE AND WE GOT STRANDED, SADLY HAd TO LOOK FOR LAST MINUTE ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION TO CONTINUE OUR HOLIDAY, EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED
Response from Mike on 31 Dec 2022
You were told to report back later but did not and your room was waiting although we were closed because we were all having a well-deserved day off. We decided to come back from the beach and make your room available. A sad result all round

8/10 Good

Dave

Response from Lesley on 10 Nov 2023
Thanks for your kind review, we do value feedback from our guests

10/10 Excellent

Sarah Jayne. Kristina.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great. Staff. Freindly. Staff. And. Great. Hotel. For. It's. Age
Response from Mike on 20 Dec 2022
Thanks so much for your kind review, I'm glad you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Sarah Jayne. Kristina.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great. Hotel. For. It's. Age.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 10 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for your kind review. So pleased you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Paki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities

2/10 Terrible

Stuart

Business traveller
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Too noisey, music until around 1.30am from within the hote. Tired and dated, would never stay here again
Response from M Hoeta. Relieving Manager on 5 Dec 2022
All guests are advised that karaoke is run from Wednesday to Saturday and it is clear on the booking in form. We do allocate quiet rooms if requested. We are an extremely busy Inner city Hotel, and as such can be very noisy at times

2/10 Terrible

Taumanu

Business traveller
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Music from within the hotel went until 1.30am on a Wednesday, how can you offer accommodation knowing full well that you have music playing that will keep people awake. Terrible place - don't stay here if you want to actually sleep
Response from M Hoeta. Relieving Manager on 5 Dec 2022
Sorry our establishment wasn't what you expected. All guests are advised that karaoke is run from Wednesday to Saturday and it is clear on the booking in form. We do allocate quiet rooms if requested. We are an extremely busy Inner city Hotel, and as such can be very noisy at times

8/10 Good

Annette

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Over all the hotel was good but it could do with a freshen up. The restaurant was very nice and the food was great
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
Response from Mike Hoeta-Relieving Manager on 25 Nov 2022
Thanks very much for your kind review, yes the old girl is over 130 years of age and does need a new look, working on some aspects as we speak

10/10 Excellent

W

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good value accommodation
Value for money is great..Room was spotless~~cleaners do a top job...Only thing that wasn't quite right, no chairs in our room..That would have been sorted if we had mentioned it earlier.. Overall, we enjoyed our stay/
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Mike Hoeta-Relieving Manager on 19 Nov 2022
Thank you for your kind review, I'm pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Thanks for bringing the chair situation to our attention, it has been remedied. We do our best to make our guests feel at home. I will pass your comments on to staff.

8/10 Good

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was relatively clean and tidy. Just very very run down and tired. Staff were very helpful. The road noise was horrible and the noise from the nightclub terrible! So if you are a light sleeper then this is perhaps not for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Mike Hoeta-Relief Manager on 15 Nov 2022
Hi Yes this Hotel was built in 1886 so it's a real veteran. Sorry about the noise, being a very busy mid city Hotel there is a lot of noise I'm afraid, it pays to check before booking, many thanks for staying with us

8/10 Good

Paul

10/10 Excellent

Joann, Wynnum

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Central location - friendly
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 6 Nov 2022
Thanks very much for your kind review, things have been very hectic lately with the Women's Rugby, glad you enjoyed your stay

6/10 Okay

Melanie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The staff were very friendly and helpful, the property could do with some updates.
Response from Lesley-Manager on 6 Nov 2022
Thanks very much for your kind review, things have been very hectic lately with the Women's Rugby, glad you enjoyed your stay

6/10 Okay

Sarah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Beautiful historic hotel. There is some interesting history and connection to the Royal Family. Main entrance was under utilised. Check in was located in the pub downstairs. Room, hallway and entrance was poorly lit. There was a bit of a damp smell in the hallway. Room also had broken lights and balcony had cigarette butts on the flooring where the drain is. There is also no parking facilities available on the property. There is a paid car park next door.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 30 Oct 2022
Thank you for your review, your comments have been noted and will be given some seriously thought. We do have limited secure parking available, we also have street parking right outside the entrance with free parking after 6pm, our city parking meter fees are extremely reasonable.

6/10 Okay

Ryuta

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Tim

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Not much to say staff were efficient. The bed was comfortable. Hotel needs to be refreshed fittings are old and the carpet and curtains need replacing. Smell of damp in my room.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 19 Oct 2022
Sorry you didn't enjoy your stay, unfortunately our hotel is more than 130 years old and requires constant maintenance. We are aware of the need to redecorate, so we are currently working through and updating each room

4/10 Poor

Rebecca

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
We were informed at check-in that karaoke in the bar underneath was 9 pm to 2 am. Our room was directly above the garden bar and we were kept awake all night. This room should’ve been heavily discounted and only available for booking with prior knowledge. Bar staff were friendly at check-in. Room was dated but clean. Felt more like a backpackers than a hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 17 Oct 2022
So sorry your stay was not to your liking, our web site does mention Karaoke so guests are pre informed. All pub accommodation is attached to busy bars which are quite often open late, ours is extremely busy, and our rooms are fully booked most weeks

2/10 Terrible

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
OMG !! I wouldn't have minded if it was cheap it was not $150 per night, and I may as well set my bed up in the pub that was underneath, the noise was horrendous, and to describe the walls as paper thin would have been an exaggeration of thickness......Having said that all the staff I met were really great :)
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 17 Oct 2022
So sorry your stay was not to your liking, our web site does mention Karaoke so guests are pre informed. All pub accommodation is attached to busy bars which are quite often open late, ours is extremely busy, and our rooms are fully booked most weeks. Good to hear our staff pawed the test. Many thanks

10/10 Excellent

luigi

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Grand time at the grand hotel
Great hotel friendly service had everything I needed for a work stay, great history too
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 16 Oct 2022
Thanks so much for your kind words

8/10 Good

kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 17 Oct 2022
Thank you, glad you enjoyed your stay

6/10 Okay

Lee

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very central to town
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Lesley - Manager on 5 Aug 2022
Hi, thanks for your kind review, hope to see you again.

6/10 Okay

Judy, Mangonui

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
We appreciate Covid has caused many issues for hotels, but the small heater in the room was not adequate to heat the cold room. The room was very cold when we entered. No extractor in the bathroom and the bed mattress needs replacing as it was very, very soft and dipped badly. There was no where to park our car and we had to get up early to feed the parking meter outside. The Thai attached had wonderful food.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Lesley. Manager on 30 July 2022
Kia ora, thanks for bringing these matters to our attention, The oil heaters are very efficient and usually warm the room in a few minutes, we note that the heat setting was on low and have re set it to medium which is normally adequate. We have replaced the mattress as well. Unfortunately this Hotel is well over 100 years old and some bathrooms do not have extractors. We do have limited parking at the rear of the hotel, and our parking meters are free during the weekends. Pleased to hear the Thai restaurant was to your liking. Many thanks

2/10 Terrible

Rachel

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty sock and bandage under nightstand. Music till after 3 am and we were never advised in advance. Party in room next to us till 4.30. Nobody on site to deal with issues. No toilet paper in the room. Had to buy our own
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley - Manager on 6 July 2022
A call to the Manager would have been the sensible thing to do, the situation re the toilet paper and other things including the party next door would have been fixed immediately. The karaoke usually stops at 2am, and the staff normally advise guests of that fact upon booking in. We do appreciate your custom and thanks for alerting us to these problems.

10/10 Excellent

Dot

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We really appreciated their flexibility and their manaakitanga. Lovely facilities and real value for money. Would absolutely stay here again 😁
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley - Manager on 24 June 2022
Kia ora Dot, we were happy that we were able to help, thank you so much for your kind review

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly helpful staff.Very clean and totally adequate for my stay.Reasonable rate.Very convenient location. A tad inconvenient having to take luggage into the bar to check in
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley Manager on 26 June 2022
Hi, so pleased you enjoyed your stay with us, sorry for the need to check in to the bar

8/10 Good

Robin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very handy to centre of town
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley - Manager on 21 June 2022
Many thanks for your kind review, we do like to make our guests feel at home

10/10 Excellent

Kim, Banksia Beach

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We’re not told of 24 roadworks outside bedroom window. Not hotels fault but it should have been advised
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 19 June 2022
Totally agree, thanks for the heads up, we will correct that

2/10 Terrible

Quin

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
I arrived and was forced to check in at a filthy bar with drunk patrons and at first they couldnt find my booking and then found it. They informed me just before payment that there would be kareoke thurs and fri. But they actually meant everyday for the last 5 years. So after a sleepless night if kareoke under my room until at least 2 full volume and quieter until 4 i woke up the next day and got my money back and left.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Lesley, Manager on 16 June 2022
Our Hotel is an extremely busy inner city establishment and as such can be noisy, all guests are notified that we have 3 nights karaoke every week till 2am, so they have the opportunity to cancel and find quieter accommodation. Our bars are cleaned every single day and are always clean, neat and tidy. Our staff and security are well trained to filter drunks at the door and ensure that they don't have too many while on our premises. The fact that they are enjoying their night, singing, chatting animatedly, laughing and maybe dancing, doesn't mean they're intoxicated, it means they're enjoying their evening. I suggest next time maybe you should find accommodation more suited to your requirements.

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness
You get what you pay for. If you need your sleep, maybe try somehwere else lol pub right below and "revellers" having a party in their room once its closed
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from Lesley-Manager on 17 June 2022
I'm sorry that you had problems. Our Hotel is an extremely busy inner city establishment and as such can be noisy, We do have a limited number of rooms in a quieter area if you request such. We have no control over guest behaviour after hours but a complaint would have been acted on immediately,

2/10 Terrible

Selina

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were friendly and great and the location was close to the centre of town. However the property was very, very old, not so clean and you could hear everything that was happening inside and outside the hotel. Loud music, cars revving, people partying, people running up and down the hallway, people screaming and swearing at each other. This went on all through the night and carried on past 8am. Sorry, but not a good pick.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from Manager Lesley on 2 June 2022
Sorry about that but this is an extremely busy inner city Hotel and as such can be very noisy. We have no control over guest behaviour unless we are notified at the time. This hotel is 130 years old so yes your comment on age is correct, however we have a very high occupancy so our rooms are serviced daily. Thank you for staying with us but suggest an out of town establishment would be more suitable for your needs

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Was kareoke going and music played loud untill 2am
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from Lesley Manager on 29 Jan 2022
Hi, Sorry to hear that you didn.t enjoy your stay with us. We are a pub and as such you would expect pub activity if you book in to one. We do encourage our staff to notify guests of any Karaoke nights as they do tend to finish late, This gives them the opportunity to find somewhere quieter if this is not to their taste. perhaps on this occasion that didn't happen, so for that we apologise. In future our staff will be reminded of their obligation to inform guests. Many thanks